LAREDO, Texas — The U.S. Border Patrol has agreed to delay spraying of herbicide near the Rio Grande until more talks are held with Mexican officials.

U.S. officials say the herbicide imazapyr (i-MAZ'-uh-peer) does not harm people or animals, but Mexican officials want to do their own review.

Officials from the Department of Homeland Security and the bi-national agency that oversees the river met Tuesday to discuss the plan to test the herbicide imazapyr on carrizo (kah-DEE'-zoh) cane.

The towering plants suck up river water and obscure the banks along much of the Rio Grande, making it difficult for agents to see people crossing the river.

Border Patrol spokesman Roque Sariana says the agency would keep negotiating to spray a 1.1-mile test portion in Laredo.

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Information from:

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/tx/6340870.html